Zola has faith in injured Dyer

09 April 2009 05:00

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola remains hopeful injury-prone midfielder Kieron Dyer can play a part in his side's push for a European place.Scott Parker and Radoslav Kovac are both doubtful for Saturday's trip to Tottenham after missing last week's win over Sunderland, but former England man Dyer is not yet ready to replace them.
Dyer has played just seven times for West Ham since leaving Newcastle in a £6million deal in the summer of 2007.
The 30-year-old suffered a broken leg in a Carling Cup tie at Bristol Rovers in August 2007 and has clocked up just 40 minutes of first-team football since.
Niggling injuries have repeatedly hampered his recovery efforts and Zola has so far risked him only with brief substitute appearances.
But the Italian is hopeful that picture would change before the end of the season.
He said: "We are trying to make it as easy as possible for Kieron. It would not be good for him if I played him more than I am right now.
"Every game we are trying to give him more time because we have faith in him. We know he is a good player. But he hasn't played for a long time and still cannot play 90 minutes.
"Every time we are increasing the time on the pitch and also working hard in training with him. I'm looking forward to the possibility of playing him a little bit longer. I want to see him on the pitch for a long time.
"He was one year out, came back and got injured again. Then he came back and got injured again. When that happens, because the muscles haven't been used for a long time, you pick up small injuries.
"Every time you have to work you are not 100%, you can't give it your best. If he gives 100% straight away he would get injured.
"Now, fortunately, he is progressing very well and I'm looking forward to playing him for 90 minutes."Obviously I don't remember him at his best but I'm hoping I can see it this year."
The Hammers will kick off at White Hart Lane in seventh place, six points and four places ahead of their hosts.
Striker Carlton Cole is out for six weeks after picking up a groin injury on England duty while defender Jonathan Spector is also ruled out having suffered a head injury in the Sunderland game.